A project to help homeowners insulate and install "clean"
heating systems was included in Dunedin's annual plan
yesterday, and described as "a great initiative" by Mayor
Dave Cull, after an almost unanimous vote.
A problem in the city of a significant proportion of homes
being poorly insulated has been discussed for years, as it
leads to cold and damp conditions, high energy costs and
health problems.
A report on the issue from former council sustainability
adviser Michelle Hayward said it was estimated 20,000 Dunedin
homes were poorly insulated.
Last year, the council called for detailed plans for options
to introduce programmes using a targeted rating scheme to
encourage homeowners to install insulation and clean heating.
Voluntary targeted rates schemes work by providing finance to
ratepayers to install insulation and clean heating, such as
wood burners, pellet burners or heat pumps, with the costs of
the retrofit paid off through rates over a specified period.
The schemes can be almost cost neutral, and can attract
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority funding.
The options suggested in the report included an insulation
and clean heating project, a "whole of house" sustainability
plan and a solar hot water scheme.
The annual plan meeting chose the insulation and clean
heating project.
Mr Cull asked Ms Hayward, who attended the meeting, whether
rental properties were likely to benefit from the scheme, as
40% of homes in South Dunedin, for instance, were rented.
Ms Hayward responded the scheme would be open to all
homeowners, although she conceded "it's a sticky problem,
that one".
Cr Jinty MacTavish said the scheme was an "enabling
mechanism; that's what's so exciting about it", and would act
as a one-year trial to see if it could be improved.
But Cr Fliss Butcher said now was not the time for the
scheme.
Cr Butcher said she suggested such schemes seven years ago,
but "got nowhere" at a more suitable time.
"There are cheaper ways to do this. I can't support it."
Cr Richard Thompson said the debt stayed with the house as
part of the rates, so there was no risk.
There was a discussion about the cost of administering the
scheme, which Mr Cull said "can be addressed, and will be".
The scheme began to address Dunedin's housing problems, and
would be done in partnership with the University of Otago and
the Otago Polytechnic, he said.
"It is a great initiative at no cost, or very little cost to
ratepayers."
All but Cr Butcher voted to support the scheme.
- david.loughrey@odt.co.nz
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